Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 92 Chang'an Residence
In midsummer May, the sun blazes overhead, and the air is dry. Even if you stand outside doing nothing, you'll soon be drenched in sweat.

In the mausoleum of Emperor Ruizong, the funeral had been going on for more than an hour. Zhang Dai and the other mourners had been standing under the scorching sun for even longer. Their mouths were already dry, but they still had to sing the funeral song loudly.

While forcing himself to persevere, Zhang Dai secretly thought to himself with a touch of sarcasm, "From now on, if anyone finds studying hard, let him be their savior! In this weather, studying in the study with a cool breeze, isn't that wonderful?"

As the sun began to set, the coffin of Prince Qi was finally carried into the tomb passage. Prince Qi's family members naturally wept loudly, while the mourners and other funeral helpers were finally able to disperse and rest.

"Ah Lang, Ah Lang, I'm here!"

Just as Zhang Dai moved away from the unsealed tomb, A Ying's shouts rang out from among the tents in the shade of the trees outside the mausoleum. Zhang Dai, as the mourner, traveled westward, while A Ying, along with another maid, An Xiaochen, and Ding Qing, also followed the funeral procession to Chang'an to take care of their food and lodging along the way.

Along the main road outside the cemetery, there were many funeral tents erected by powerful families from the capital region for the roadside memorial service, including the Zhang family's tent. Aying and the others stayed outside the Zhang family's tent.

"Are you stupid? Standing outside in this scorching sun!"

Zhang Dai walked over and saw that A Ying's face was covered in sweat. He felt sorry for her and gave her a light scolding.

As they traveled westward, whenever they reached a secluded spot, the young woman would go back and forth to deliver drinks and food to Zhang Dai in the group. After more than half a month of travel, her fair face had turned a wheat color from sun exposure.

"I'm afraid Ah Lang won't be able to see me when he comes out!"

Aying pouted and used a soft cloth soaked in warm water to wipe the sweat from Zhang Dai's face, while glancing at the cemetery: "Is the funeral finally over?"

"It's over, I can go home soon!"

Before Zhang Dai could speak, a boy a few years older than him stepped forward with a smile and patted Zhang Dai on the shoulder, saying, "Luo Nu, after this is over, are you going straight back to Luoyang or staying in Chang'an for a while? Your deeds are well-known in the Western Capital. If I told you you were my nephew, many of my classmates at the Hongwen Academy wouldn't believe me. If you stay a few more days, I'll show you around and let them see what you've got!"

This young man is Zhang Shuo's youngest son, Zhang Yang, who is studying at the Hongwen Academy in Chang'an. He is also one of the few members of the Zhang family who had a good relationship with the previous young Zhang Luonu.

As Zhang Shuo's eldest grandson, Zhang Luonu, though not born of the principal wife, was still favored for a time. His uncle, Zhang Yang, was only two years older than him, and they had played together since childhood. Zhang Luonu's love for dog and horse games was mostly learned from Zhang Yang.

Later, Zhang Yang was sent to study at the Hongwen Academy, and the uncle and nephew were separated in the two capitals. Recently, the Zhang family suffered a disaster in Luoyang, and Zhang Yang was very nervous until he received further news.

Upon learning of Zhang Dai's deeds, Zhang Yan was even more excited. If it weren't for the fact that Zhang Dai was still involved in the matter of carrying a man, Zhang Yan would have already taken him out to show off.

"I'll stay a few more days, but I won't have time to go out for leisure. Once everything is settled, I need to return to Luoyang as soon as possible."

As Zhang Dai took a sip of the drink offered by A Ying, he spoke to Zhang Yang. He needed to oversee the completion of the transfer of the Qi Prince's assets, and Consort Wu Hui had also entrusted him to deliver some items to her son, Prince Shou, Li Qing, who remained in Chang'an. He didn't have time to wander and socialize in Chang'an.

He didn't get along well with his stepparents, but he had no conflicts with the rest of the Zhang family. He was even less distant from his uncle Zhang Yang, who was close to him in age. Seeing Zhang Yang's restless expression, he said, "Uncle, be careful and focus on your studies. After the family upheaval, my father's temperament changed drastically. Any son in the family who neglects his studies will be severely punished!"

"Who neglected their studies? Don't talk nonsense, and don't talk nonsense when you get back!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yang immediately glared and defended himself, then said indignantly, "You've only gone through a trial and made a contribution to the family. While I admire you, don't try to intimidate me with that. I'm still your uncle! Remember to only speak of the good things when you return, and nothing else!"

This kid was clearly running wild in Chang'an, and Zhang Dai was too lazy to say anything to him. He figured he'd give him a good scolding when his grandfather came back, and then the kid would behave.

After the funeral, the families who had offered their respects along the way were packing up their tents. Some of the mourners also came forward to wave goodbye to Zhang Dai. Having spent several days together, they had become quite familiar with each other, and when they talked about it later, they always mentioned a shared experience. Some of them even thought about getting together again at the Huixunfang Villa.

Zhang Dai readily agreed, saying that he would inform everyone and treat them with great hospitality upon his return.

In fact, after the event was over, the Court of State Ceremonial prepared a grand feast in the Western Palace to reward those who had participated in the funeral rites and helped with the mourning. However, after so many days of running around, Zhang Dai was exhausted and decided to go home to rest early, so he did not attend the farewell dinner.

The Zhang family also had residences in Chang'an, and not just one, the largest of which was the Yonglefang residence under the jurisdiction of Wannian County, located east of Zhuque Street.

Previously, the young Zhang Luonu had spent most of his time in Luoyang and had little memory of Chang'an, so Zhang Dai was naturally unfamiliar with everything here. When he returned to the gate of the Yonglefang residence, he found that the mansion was far more magnificent and grand than the Kangsufang mansion in Luoyang, and he was filled with admiration. Although the mansion was larger, there were fewer people living there than in the Luoyang mansion. Besides Zhang Yang, the young master in charge, there were some distant relatives of the Zhang family, some disciples and guests of Zhang Shuo, and a group of servants.

Because of Zheng's rejection and Zhang Jun's neglect, even some of the servants in Luoyang's household didn't pay much attention to Zhang Luonu.

However, the servants in Chang'an were unaware of the family affairs in Luoyang, and Zhang Dai's recent deeds had been quite remarkable. This time, he was even entering the capital as the Prince of Qi's escort, so the servants in Chang'an naturally dared not neglect him.

From the moment Zhang Dai entered their home, they fawned over him and presented him with the finest gifts, treating him as the pillar of the Zhang family for three generations. Zhang Dai enjoyed the treatment of a true nobleman and instantly fell in love with his home in Chang'an.

After returning home, Zhang Dai didn't cause any trouble. He ate dinner, took a bath, changed his clothes, and went to bed. When he woke up the next day, the sun was already high in the sky. He got out of bed and went to check on his side. Aying was also sleeping soundly. The young lady must have been quite tired from following him all the way. So Zhang Dai didn't disturb her and slowly walked out on his own.

Five or six male and female servants stood outside the bedroom. Upon seeing Zhang Dai emerge, one of them stepped forward and said, "Sixth Master, would you like to dine now? The kitchen has prepared various dishes..."

The servant rattled off a long list of breakfast options, at least a dozen or twenty kinds. After listening, Zhang Dai couldn't help but marvel at how extravagant the family was, treating breakfast like a buffet.

As he went to another room to wash up, he said, "Just take a few things that are to your liking. Don't be so extravagant when we eat at home in the future."

“We have kept in mind Liu Lang’s teachings. Now that Liu Lang has returned home, we do not know what he likes to eat, so we have prepared more than usual. Normally, we only have a few dishes.”

Upon hearing this, the servants quickly replied respectfully. Although they were not familiar with this young master, he might become the master of this mansion someday, so they naturally dared not neglect their service.

Zhang Dai was having breakfast when a servant came to report that Wang Yuanbao was outside requesting an audience. The dining room was still several hundred meters from the front courtyard, and he was too lazy to walk, so he had the servant led here.

"Young Master Zhang, Young Master Zhang, the money and silk are ready and can be paid at any time!"

Wang Yuanbao strode into the hall with an excited expression, bowing to Zhang Dai as he spoke.

He traveled day and night, riding fast back to the capital, arriving more than ten days earlier than Zhang Dai and his party. Upon his return, he raised money and silk, exhausting all his family's wealth and also taking a considerable amount from the homes of guards such as Wang Maozhong, finally managing to gather enough money to be handed over to the Prince of Qi's family.

Just as he was preparing for the financial matters, many wealthy merchants in Chang'an came to inquire about the inside story, and many of them clearly stated that if the matter was feasible, they also wanted to use this opportunity to transfer a portion of their money to the Eastern Capital.

This is a huge market that is eager to be developed. The sooner it starts operating, the sooner it can generate profits. Wang Yuanbao was naturally very anxious and rushed to ask about it the day after the Prince of Qi was buried.

"Eat breakfast first, don't rush, haste makes waste!"

With everything under control, Zhang Dai remained calm and unhurried. He leisurely finished his breakfast, while Wang Yuanbao wolfed down a flatbread beside him. Seeing Zhang Dai put down his chopsticks, Wang Yuanbao quickly stood up and said, "Shall we go now?"

Zhang Dai had many horses in his stables in Chang'an. He specially asked a servant to take out a chestnut horse that Zhang Yang liked the most, as a way to avenge his uncle Zhang Luonu's recent squandering of the family fortune. An Xiaochen and Ding Qing also led their own horses to accompany them.

As Zhang Dai rode through Chang'an, he couldn't help but marvel at how much more spacious and magnificent the city's layout was than that of Luoyang. However, Wang Yuanbao kept muttering to himself beside him, which distracted him from taking in the sights of Chang'an. So he spurred his horse and hurried toward the residence of Prince Qi in Anxing Ward in the north of the city.

When the group arrived at Chunming Gate in the north of the city and looked east, they could see the outline of Xingqing Palace in the south of Chang'an. The famous Qinzhengwuben Building and Hua'e Xianghui Building were located in Xingqing Palace.

However, the area around Xingqing Palace is currently fenced off, and construction is underway inside. The palace is being expanded while the emperor is staying in Luoyang, so Zhang Dai and his party cannot get close to admire it. They have to turn north at the east street of Shengyefang.

Anxing Ward, where Prince Qi's residence was located, was situated in the northwest corner of Xingqing Palace. When Zhang Dai entered the ward and looked southeast from the gate of Prince Qi's residence, he could see the watchtower on the northwest palace wall of Xingqing Palace. This meant he was living under the emperor's watchful eye at all times! But now he was dead.

After the funeral of Prince Qi, Prince Hedong and others were to remain at Qiaoling to observe mourning, while the female relatives returned to the Prince's residence in Chang'an. During the mourning period, the main gate of the Prince's residence was kept closed, and the group was led in through a side gate and settled in a separate courtyard. Officials from Prince Qi's residence were responsible for negotiating the handover of money and silk with Wang Yuanbao.

Zhang Dai waited for a while in the side courtyard room, when another servant from the inner quarters hurried over and invited him to meet in the inner quarters. So he stood up and followed him inside.

(End of this chapter)